The Indonesian Government is encouraging the opening of direct air routes from Jakarta to Hanoi, as well as the operation of charter flights from the capital city and Surabaya, the second largest city of the country, to Da Nang, aiming to promote tourism between the two countries, according to Indonesia’s news agency Antara.

Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Ibnu Hadi reportedly said strengthening connectivity is an important factor in increasing the number of tourists from Vietnam to Indonesia, and the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi will continue encouraging direct flights linking Jakarta and Hanoi and Da Nang, and Surabaya and Da Nang, as well as the increase of direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Jakarta.

The diplomat said he believes that the number of Vietnamese tourists to Indonesia will rise along with the increase of the middle class in Vietnam.

In 2018, nearly 9.78 million Vietnamese tourists traveled abroad. However, less than 1 percent of them, or only 75,632 people, visited Indonesia.

From January to July this year, 53,000 Vietnamese people toured Indonesia, a rise of 18.11 percent year on year, he noted.

In order to complete the target of welcoming 123,000 Vietnamese tourists set by the Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, the Indonesian Embassy in Hanoi has launched various activities such as engaging in the International East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) Trade and Tourism Fair, and the Tourism and Investment Fair 2019 in Da Nang, as well as the “Bali and Beyond” tourism promotion in Ho Chi Minh City.

Alongside, the embassy promoted the image of Indonesia in Ha Long on September 15 and will do the same in Vinh city of Nghe An on September 22.